Polyploidy events shaped the expansion of transcription factors in Cucurbitaceae and exploitation of genes for tendril development

Cucurbitaceae is one of the most important plant families distributed worldwide.Transcription factors(TFs)regulate plant growth at the transcription level.Here,we performed a systematic analysis of 42641 TFs from 63 families in 14 Cucurbitaceae and 10 non-cucurbit species.Whole-genome duplication(WGD)was the dominant event type in almost all Cucurbitaceae plants.The TF families were divided into 1210 orthogroups(OGs),of which,112 were unique to Cucurbitaceae.Although the loss of several gene families was detected in Cucurbitaceae,the gene families expanded in five species that experienced a WGD event comparing with grape.Our findings revealed that the recent WGD events that had occurred in Cucurbitaceae played important roles in the expansion of most TF families.The functional enrichment analysis of the genes that significantly expanded or contracted uncovered five gene families,AUX/IAA,NAC,NBS,HB,and NF-YB.Finally,we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the TCP gene family and identified 16 tendril-related(TEN)genes in 11 Cucurbitaceae species.Interestingly,the characteristic sequence changed from CNNFYFP to CNNFYLP in the TEN gene(Bhi06M000087)of Benincasa hispida.Furthermore,we identified a new characteristic sequence,YNN,which could be used for TEN gene exploitation in Cucurbitaceae.In conclusion,this study will serve as a reference for studying the relationship between gene family evolution and genome duplication.Moreover,it will provide rich genetic resources for functional Cucurbitaceae studies in the future.

Genetic Diversity and Species Identification of Cultivar Species in Subtribe Cucumerinae (Cucurbitaceae) Using RAPD and SCAR Markers

DNA polymorphism in the cultivar species;Cucumis sativus L., C. melo L. and Benincasa hispida Cogn. of subtribe Cucumerinae (Cucurbitaceae) in the four northeastern provinces of Thailand was examined by using RAPD technique. Twenty 10-mer primers were produced 212 RAPD fragments, ranging from approximately 120 to 2531 bp. The genetic similarities were estimated from banding profiles using a NTSYS* version 2.1 as a basis for dendrogram construction via the UPGMA method. Cluster analysis divided the taxa under study into 2 clades. Moreover, a RAPD marker: Cm (OPJ11700) was specified to C. melo, and this marker was converted into sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker: Cm (SCJ11516). A pair of sequence-specific primer of clones Cm (OPJ11700) amplified a distinct single band of the same size as the RAPD clones. The SCAR marker was developed successfully to identify C. melo genotype.

A Review of Somatic Embryogenesis in Cucurbitaceae

Somatic embryo is widely used in genetic engineering and cell engineering. This paper reviewed the recent research results of somatic embryogenesis in Cucurbitaceae plants. Somatic embryogenesis is controlled by many factors such as genotype, explant type, seedling age, basal culture medium, carbohydrate, nitrogen, growth regulators, additives and illumination et al.. Abnormality, desynchrony and browning are the main problem existing in Cucurbitaceae somatic embryogenesis. Then some ideas on how to obtain high quality somatic embryo are given. At last, we forecast the application of somatic embryo in breeding of Cucurbitaceae plants.

Characterization of Chemical Constituents of Luffa operculata(Cucurbitaceae)

A mixture of new ceramides (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) together with a binary mixture of ceramides with long chain alkyl (6 and 7), triterpenoid (10) and steroids (11 and 12) have been isolated from bark of the fruits and of the stems of Luffa operculata (Cucurbitaceae). The structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectro- scopic analysis including 1H and 13C NMR, DEPT (distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer), COSY (correlated spectroscopy), HMQC (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence), HMBC (heteronu- clear multiple bond connectivity), IR (infrared), HR-ESI-MS (electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectra) and LR-MS (low resolution electron ionization mass spectra) experiments. All the ceramides are reported for the first time in Cucurbitaceae and this is the first report of the rare triterpene 10 isolated from Luffa operculata. The ceramides 6 and 7 showed a high acetylcholine esterase inhibitory effect.

Research Progress of Triterpenoid Secondary Metabolites in Cucurbitaceae Plants

In this paper,the advances in study on triterpenoids in Trichosanthes,Hemsleya,Gynostemma,Actinostemma and Siraitia Merr. plants were reviewed.Terpenoids are the main secondary metabolites of Cucurbitaceae and have obvious pharmacological activity. It is noteworthy that in these plants,there are a variety of triterpenoids,which are diverse in structure. Triterpenoid saponins have greater potential for development.

Phylotranscriptomics in Cucurbitaceae Reveal Multiple Whole-Genome Duplications and Key Morphological and Molecular Innovations

The ability of climbing plants to grow upward along others to reach the canopy for photosynthesis is hypothesized as a key innovation in flowering plants.Most members of the Cucurbitaceae,a family containing^1000 species and many important crops,are climbers and have characteristic tendrils and pepo fruits.Here,we present 127 newly sequenced transcdptomes and genomes along with other datasets for a total of 136 cucurbits representing all tribes to establish a robust Cucurbitaceae phylogeny containing eight highly resolved major clades.We analyzed whole-genome duplication,diversification dynamics,and ancestral morphologies,and found that after early genome duplication event(s),a burst of diversification and morphological innovations in flower,fruit,and root characters occurred under the climate optimum in the Early Eocene.Species radiation during the Mid-Eocene Climatic Optimum also coincided with several morphological changes shared by 80%of cucurbits.We found that the cucurbit-specific tendril identity gene TEN originated from a paleo-polyploidization event at the origin of the family.Our results support the hypothesis that cucurbit diversifications were probably driven by increased genetic diversity following polyploidizations and by trait morphological innovations under paleo-climate upheavals.Our study provides a phylogenetic framework and new insights into morphological and genomic changes underlying the adaptive evolution of Cucurbitaceae.

The amino acid sequence of a double-headed trypsin inhibitor from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn.Cucurbitaceae

A double-headed trypsin inhibitor(MCI-1)was isolated and purified from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn.Cucurbitaceae,by using the trypsin-sepharose-4B affinity chroma- tography and CM-Sephadex-C50 ion exchange chromatography.It is composed of 77 amino acid residues:Asp_8 Thr_1 Ser_4 Glu_8 Pro_2 Gly_6 Ala_4 Cys_(14) Val_2 Met_4 Ile_8 Leu_1 Phe_1 His_3 Lys_ Arg_7. The amino acid sequence of MCI-1 was determined by sequencing the cyanogen bromide,tryptic and staphylococcus aureus V8 proteolytic peptides,then aligned by overlapped sequences.The result shows that MCI-1 contains 7 pairs of disulfide bonds,its sequence showed the high homology with those of “Bowman-Birk”inhibitors.About 50% trypsin inhibitory activity still remained after MCI-1 was cleavaged with cyanogen bromide.

李宝聚博士诊病手记(九十五) 南瓜霜霉病的发生规律及防治技术

南瓜、笋瓜、西葫芦为葫芦科（Cucurbitaceae）南瓜属（Cucurbita）的主要栽培种。根据联合国粮食及农业组织（FAO）统计,2011年世界范围内肉用南瓜（区别于籽用南瓜）的收获面积达到177.46万hm^2（2661.9万亩）,总产量2425.68万t。

Cucurbitacin and Triterpenoid Glycosides from Hemsleya giganthy

From rhizomes of Hemsleya giganthy collected in Shichuan of China, 16 compounds were isolated. Among them, three compounds (8, 9, 15) are new natural products called Hemslecins G; Hemsgiganosides A and B; respectively. Their structures were elucidated as 7- hydroxy-23, 24-dihydro-cucurbitacin F-25-O-acetate (8); 3-O-(6-butyl ester-)-b-D-glu- curono- pyranosyl)-oleanolic acid-28-O-a-L-arabinopyranoside(9); 3-O-b-D-glucuropyranosyl oleanolic acid -28-O-b-D-gluco pyranosyl-(16)- b-D-glucopyranoside(15) by spectroscopic and chemical means.

A new lignan from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

A new lignan ligballinone 1 with the know ligbaUinol 2 were isolated from plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Their structures were determined through spectroscopic methods including ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR （^1H, ^13C, DEPT, ^1H-^1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC） and X-ray diffraction experiment for 2.

Three New Cucurbitacins from Hemsleya lijiangensis

Three new cucurbitacins were isolated from the BuOH extract of the rhizomes of Hemsleya lijiangensis. Their structures were elucidated as 23, 24 -dihydro cucurbitacin F-16, 25-diacetate(1), 23, 24-dihydro cucurbitacin F-16, 25-diacetate-2-O-β-D glucopyranoside (2), 23, 24-dihydro-cucurbitacin F-16-acetate(3), respectively; by spectral analyses.

Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.: A vegetable with diverse pharmacological properties

Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.is a climber of the Cucurbitaceae family mainly found in tropical Asia.The fruit is widely consumed as a vegetable and different parts of this plant are used in the traditional medicine to treat various types of human ailments.In this review,we critically analyzed and presented the scientific studies on T.dioica available in three electronic databases viz.PubMed,Web of Science and Google Scholar.Our aim was to find the scientific basis of the traditional use to understand the plant’s potential in therapy.Studies have found promising antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic,antitumor,cytotoxic,arsenic poisoning ameliorative,anti-inflammatory,antidiarrheal,and varieties of pharmacological activities of T.dioica.Different types of bioactive compounds have been identified and isolated from T.dioica including peptides namely trichosanthin and lectin;a number of triterpenes like cucurbitacin B,euphol,α-amyrin,-amyrin,lupeol,taraxerol,betulin,and karounidiol;sterols,steroidal saponin,tannin,flavonoids etc.T.dioica contains a number of well-known bioactive phytochemicals and the plant has shown an array of pharmacological activities in vivo.This review will expand our understanding of the therapeutic potential of T.dioica and their phytochemical basis which may help in further research on this species.

苏北日光温室丝瓜优质高产立体栽培技术

丝瓜属葫芦科（Cucurbitaceae）丝瓜属（Luffa）,又名布瓜、蛮瓜等,原产于印度,大约公元6世纪引入我国,是一种人们喜食的蔬菜。丝瓜用途广泛,作为蔬菜,营养丰富,富含各种微量元素;也可以用作中药,有祛湿通经络、治疗胸肋骨疼痛之功效;丝瓜的汁液还是美容护肤的佳品,而丝瓜瓤还可以做成抹布。

Lagenaria siceraria fruit extract ameliorate fat amassment and serum TNF-αin high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruit(ELSF) on fat amassment and serum TNF-αin high-fat diet-induced obese rats.Methods:The high fat diet induced obese rals were orally treated with orlistat(50 mg/kg) and ELSF(100,200.300 mg/kg/day) to the respective treatment groups.The body weight,lasting blood glucose level,lipid profile, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in rats were measured after 30 days of treatment adn compared to the obese control animals.Results:ELSF significantly(P 【 0.001) reduced the body weight gain,fasting blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,total protein and TNF-α.Conclusions:These encouraging findings suggest that Lagenaria siceraria has excellent pharmacological potential to prevent fat amassment.

Two New Compounds from Hemsleya penxianensis var. gulinensis

Two new compounds, oleanolic acid 28-O--D-glucopyranosyl-3-O--L-arabinopyrano- syl-(13)-(6-butyl ester)--D-glucuropyranoside 1, oleanolic acid 28-O--D-glucopyranosyl- (16)--D-glucopyranoside 2 have been isolated from the roots of Hemsleya penxianensis var. gulinensis. Their structures were determined on the bases of the spectral and chemical evidences.

绞股蓝驯化栽培技术

绞股蓝[Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thanb.)Makino]系葫芦科(Cucurbitaceae)植物,多为野生。1987年进行驯化栽培,在林下套种2亩,1988年分在大田、杉木、柳杉木、柑桔园、葡萄园、桑园等各种套种方式栽培12亩,已获得成功,并总结繁育栽培、管理收割等技术,加以推广。

Cytotoxic Effect of Methanol Extracts and Partitions of Two Mexican Desert Plants against the Murine Lymphoma L5178Y-R

Pachycereus marginatus (DC.) Britton & Rose and Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene have been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. The present study aims to investigate the cytotoxic activity of these plants against a murine lymphoma. Soxhlet extraction of dried and powdered plant material was performed with methanol. Also, a further partitioning of these methanolic extracts with hexane and ethyl acetate was achieved. The in vitro cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y-R cell line was assessed via the colorimetric MTT assay. The methanol extract from P. marginatus exhibited high cytotoxic activity (up to 94%) at concentrations ranging from 3.9 to 500 μg/mL;however, hexane and ethyl acetate partitions from this methanolic extract showed lower but significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (hexane partition up to 94% at 500 μg/mL;ethyl acetate partition up to 94% at 65.5 μg/mL). The methanolic extract and partitions derived from I. sonorae also showed significant (p < 0.05) and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against L5178Y-R cells at concentrations ranging from 7.81 to 500 μg/mL (methanolic extract up to 63% at 500 μg/mL;hexane partition up to 76% at 250 μg/mL;ethyl acetate partition up to 73% at 500 μg/mL). These results demonstrate that the methanol extracts and partitions from P. marginatus and I. sonorae possess significant cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y-R and validate the ethnobotanical use of these plants for the treatment of diseases consistent with cancer symptomatology. Previous scientific reports describe the isolation of isoquinoline alkaloids of P. marginatus as well as cucurbitacins from I. sonorae, phytochemicals that could be responsible for their observed cytotoxic activity in this research. The direct extraction with methanol of medicinal plants allows extracting of both high and low-polarity compounds, contrary to the simple extraction with water that only allows obtaining compounds of high polarity. The subsequent partition of the methanol extract with a solvent of low polarity (hexane) and another of medium polarity (ethyl acetate) allows making a preliminary fractionation of the bioactive molecules present in the plant that will facilitate the bioguided chromatographic isolation of the pure compounds responsible for the biological activity of the plant.

Paclobutrazol Applied on Cotyledonal Leaves and Quality of Cucumber,Squash,Melon and Watermelon Seedlings

The research was done to determine the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) through the dose of 150 mg·L-1, on the quality of seedlings determined by the content of chlorophyll, height, leaf area, dry matter of roots and of the aerial part of cucumber, squash, melon and watermelon. Sowing of all species carried out on October 21, 2013 in polystyrene trays with 200 cavities filled with peat moss. Treatments were the doses of 150 mg of PBZ·L-1 water and the control (distilled water). The solution with PBZ and the distilled water were applied only once with manual atomizer on cotyledonal leaves by mean of 25 shots made approximately with the same force, having put physical barriers between experimental units. In the four species (cucumber, squash, melon and watermelon) the PBZ increased the chlorophyll content in 26.0%, 14.9%, 19.4% and 26.5%, respectively, compared to the control;height decreased in 24.0%, 34.7%, 16.3% and 23.4%;leaf area decreased in 40.1, 0.5, 30.4 and 16.2%;the dry matter of roots increased in 20.0%, 62.5%, 85.7% and 19.7%;whereas in cucumber the dry matter of the aerial part increased 12.3%, in squash decreased 5.3%, and in melon and watermelon increased in the respective 22.9 and 3.3%, so that the 150 mg dose of PBZ can be used to produce seedlings with higher quality for transplant.

Coccinia grandis:Phytochemistry,pharmacology and health benefits

Background:Coccinia grandis(L.)Voigt,commonly known as Ivy gourd,is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family that has been used in traditional medicinal systems for centuries.Its most common traditional use is managing diabetes mellitus which has been scientifically proven along with other pharmacological activities.Objective:This review aims to thoroughly explore the scientific evidence of various pharmacological activities of C.grandis and its therapeutic applications.Method:A thorough search of the literature was carried out to identify relevant research on C.grandis.With the combination of the plants’scientific names,different keywords,such as“Coccinia grandis”“Coccinia indica”“tra-ditional medicine”“ethnobotany”“ethnomedicine”“phytochemistry”“bioactive compounds”“pharmacology”“health benefit”“side effect”“toxicity”and“clinical trial”,have been used for search using Boolean operators.Retrieved articles were strictly screened to maintain inclusion criteria.One hundred and sixty-nine papers were eventually chosen for this review after a thorough examination of the retrieved articles that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results:C.grandis was found to have a number of compounds that are biologically active and exhibit anti-diabetic,anti-dyslipidemic,anti-obesity,anti-oxidant,anti-inflammation,anti-cancer,analgesic,anti-oxidant,antinocicep-tive,antipyretic,anthelmintic,analgesic,spasmolytic,wound-healing,anti-ulcerogenic,anti-convulsant,hepato-protective and immunomodulatory activities without obvious side effects.Nanoparticles produced from the plant and different extracts of the plant show excellent anti-microbial activity.Conclusion:The scientific evidence encourages exploring more in-depth experimental studies regarding the phar-macological activities to develop C.grandis as a novel therapeutic agent.

Chemistry and pharmacology of Siraitia grosvenorii: A review

Siraitia grosvenorii is a perennial herb endemic to Guangxi province of China. Its fruit, commonly known as Luo hanguo, and has been used for hundreds of years as a natural sweetener and as a traditional medicine for the treatment of pharyngitis, pharyngeal pain, as well as an anti-tussive remedy in China. Based on ninety-three literary sources, this review summarized the advances in chemistry, biological effects, and toxicity research of S. grosvenorii during the past 30 years. Several different classes of compounds have been isolated or detected from various parts of S. grosvenorii, mainly triterpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, amino acids, and essential oils. Various types of extracts or individual compounds derived from this species exhibited a wide array of biological effects e.g. anti-tussive, phlegm-relieving, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, liver-protecting, glucose-lowering, and anti-microbial. The existing research has shown that extracts and individual compounds from S. grosvenorii are basically non-toxic. Finally, some suggestions for further research on specific chemical and pharmacological properties of S. grosvenorii are proposed in this review.